Difference between Leupold VX-II and VX-3?

west250

west250

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Hello all, I was wondering if there's anyone out there that owns both and can provide a comparison of these models? I have 2 in VX-II (3-9 x 40), and am thinking about scope mounting on my next rifle. Wondering if stepping up to the 3 series is worth twice the price?

Thanks for your feedback! :)
 
I'm going through the same thing myself right now, so to make a short story long I bought a vx 2 3-9 x 50 at wws three days ago, took it home and compared it to my nikon prostaff 2-7 x 33, vx 1 , and a vortex diamondback, spent a couple of days comparing them by looking at far off objects and looking at things right at dusk. From what I could see there was very little improvement with the vx 2 over any of those scopes, so I returned it, it wasn't quite the upgrade I thought it would be. It was on sale for around 360 so really you couldn't go wrong at that price, and the vx2 3-9 x 40 are about 280 right now, wws nanaimo still has a couple I believe, which is where I bought mine (I can see you live on the rock as well). So now after even further research I have decided to look at the zeiss conquest 3-9 x 40, they are 500$, a bit cheaper than vx 3 2.5-8 and a lot cheaper than vx 3 3.5-10. The conquest is considered by many to be at least vx3 quality. Wss is bringing one in for me to look at but the salesmen did say they have a tough time keeping them in stock because they are such good value and sell like crazy. I think what I am trying to say is go to wss (if possible, I don't know where you live) grab a vx2, vx3, and a conquest, get the salesmen to go outside with you and make your own comparisons buy looking at objects at least a couple of hundred yards away being sure to adjust each scope for your eyes. When my conquest comes in this is what I will be doing before I actually buy it, but my intuition tells me the zeiss will probably come out on top. Good luck
 
Thanks for your feedback, I went into Wholesale Nanaimo and picked up another vx2 for $280 (my other 2 hunting rifles sport the same). I couldn't pass on the deal and they gave me a $25 gift card to use for my next purchase which will be towards the rifle ordered that'll show up next week sometime. I like the performance of the vx2's but was a little curious about the differences in the next model up.
Like binoculars, I believe there's a sweet spot that balances price and reasonable performance over higher priced items with smaller gains in performance and larger price increases.
 
Yup the vx 2 is a crazy good deal at that price, they're good scopes for sure. Perhaps I'll post my comparison between the three scopes in a week or two time when the Conquest arrives, quite anxious myself to see the two leupolds side by side. Incidentaly I compared the vx 2 to the Nikon Monarch at dusk out in front of the store and they were both very close, but both the salesmen and I agreed the slight edge went to the Nikon.
Cheers
 
I'm surprised no one else has chimed in on this one, there must be a ton of knowledgeable leupold owners on this forum, infact I think it would be nice to hear some more feedback from people who currently own leupolds along with other comparable scopes, would be very educational to hear some first hand pysical side by side accurate comparisons of leupolds in general. The op raises a very good question about price balance/tipping point on scopes, and there is a lot of people with a lot of different equipment around here.
 
The present VX-II is all the scope that most hunters would need,combining light weight,good glass and an awesome warranty.Leupold is dicontinuing the present model in favor of a new one with updated coatings.I own a couple of VXIILR scopes and quite a number of the new VXIIIs.The VXIII optics are superior but whether that justifies the extra cost is up to the buyer.I've shot a lot of game with the VXIIs.THe Leupold warranty is the best but in over 30 years of hunting with their scopes(at present I have 9),I have yet to need it. Mur
 
I wondered why the vx2's are being discontinued. No doubt there's brighter, more clear optics on the market, but I guess I'm happy with the performance of this model of scope for the money spent - also like the idea of 'standard' scopes on the hunting rifles...
Looking forward to mounting it on the new 30-06!
 
Dogleg said:
You guys are going to have to realize that there is a difference between VX 11 and VX 2. The VX 11 is being discontinued, the VX 2 is the replacement.
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That is correct.The same thing was done with the VXIII.I have several of the VX3s and they are an optical upgrade from the VXIII. Mur
 
Dogleg said:
You guys are going to have to realize that there is a difference between VX 11 and VX 2. The VX 11 is being discontinued, the VX 2 is the replacement.
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I thought the main difference between the VXII and VX3 is that th former has a 2 piece main tube and the latter has a 1 piece. The VXII now has the multi-coat 4, which is the same coating as the VX3.
 
1899 said:
The VXII now has the multi-coat 4, which is the same coating as the VX3.
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Nope, VX3 has the DiamondCoat2 lens coating...

The Xtended Twilight Lens System™ optimizes the transmission of low-light wavelengths, so you see the details of low-light scenes in greater, brighter detail than with any other riflescope available.
DiamondCoat 2™ lens coatings on exterior lens surfaces provide the highest level of scratch resistance Leupold has ever offered.
The twin bias spring exerts up to 30 percent more holding force on the erector, virtually eliminating erector system backlash and stress on the vital internal workings of the scope, for longer life.
Blackened lens edges reduce light diffusion, so more usable light reaches the shooter’s eye, for a brighter image with increased contrast.
Click to expand...
 
1899 said:
I thought the main difference between the VXII and VX3 is that th former has a 2 piece main tube and the latter has a 1 piece. The VXII now has the multi-coat 4, which is the same coating as the VX3.
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The VX 11 replaced the Vari X 11. It got the Multi-coat 4 coatings in 2004 which kinda sorta made it about the same as the discontinued Vari X 111 which was superceded by the VX 111 which was is turn superceded by the VX 3 which had a further coating update to Diamond Coat and the double bias erector assembly springs that most of us like to call the Mark 4 erecter assembly.

If history was to repeat itself the new VX2 would inherit the glass and coating of the VX 111, but the rumor mill is pulling hard for Diamond Coat.
 
hookedonblacktail i`ll be interested on your compairison of the Conquest when you get it. Looks like it may be my next scope purchase. I also have a Leupold VXII in 3x9-40 dot, nice scope.
 
I did consider the Zeiss as well. My pal has one and it looks like a decent scope, but I wanted to stick with North American made on top of the N.A. rifle. Following that logic, I should have topped the Sako with the Zeiss! =]
The Leupold vxII seems to fill my need well although high quality optics are sure a treat on the eyes... I'll be curious about the comparison as well.
 
mbogo3 said:
The Conquest is German parts assembled in the USA I think?
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Quoted from article on binos at the 24 hour campfire: "The popular Zeiss Conquest line of riflescopes, for instance, only includes one major component (the erector assembly) made in Germany. The rest are made in the Czech Republic, including the glass - and final assembly is done in the U.S. "

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/binoculars2.html
 
Ran across this thread, which is likely way more info than you were looking for, but, it is interesting;

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1421043/m/3081098641
 
Well I was getting a bit to curious to wait for my conquest to come in so I went to WSS to compare the only 3-9 conquest they had which is the one with the long range reticle, along with a 2.5-8 vx 3, and a bushnell 4200 just for the heck of it, they did not have any more vx 11 which is not surprising givin the sale price. So the salesmen and I went outside and quickly both agreed the 4200 was in last place, which I think most would have guessed anyway, with that said I have to say the 4200 was actually pretty darn nice to look through, pretty clear optics for the money I thought and think some of those are on sale too for a good price. As far as the zeiss and leupold, oh boy it was real real close in my eyes. The salesmen thought the zeiss had a little more clarity, but not much at all. Myself, I'm on the fence, hate to be so wishy washy but I had a real tough time seeing a difference. When the other zeiss comes in I will compare the two one last time before I make my purchase but this time I will wait until it gets a bit darker so a light gathering comparison can be made. If anyone is interested I can post my comparison when the time comes.
 
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